Karori
Pastor Mike Enright
September saw us hosting a Week of Guided Prayer. Some youth group girls initiated a “Dance For Freedom” concert to raise funds for Freeset in Kolkata. October was busy – we had another enjoyable all age service and participated in the Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal.

On October 31 we had a combined service with St Mary’s Anglican Church across the road, leaving our premises free to set up for the Halloween alternative community event themed “Guess Who?” In October several young people shared their experiences as part of a mission team to Vanuatu. Our last MyServe event for this year was Just Christmas, a fair trade gift fair. “All Nations Christmas with an Asian Flavour” was held in December. The community Christmas service in December presented the Christmas story in music, drama and story, followed by a baptism. We farewelled Andrew and Xanthia Bollen with a fellowship lunch in December.

Rimutaka
Pastor Murray Gordon
At the end of October we had a Light Party. More than 100 children from the community took part in activities such as a bouncy castle, a petting zoo, face painting and crafts. In November we had “Guess who’s coming for dinner.” where neither host nor guest knew what was happening until the guests turned up at the host’s front door. The men’s and women’s breakfasts continue. We were reminded of Christ’s birth as the children presented a Christmas pageant. The youth provided amusement and a Christmas message in a puppet show. In January we continue the mid-week BBQs at members’ homes. We look forward to a year of growth and witness in our community.

Blenheim
In November Pastor Aaron attended an invitation-only Global Leadership Seminar for 75 world leaders run by Bill Hybels at Willow Creek Illinois. More than 250 people of all ages packed into the Cave Youth Centre for Christmas Eve celebrations. There was a choral festival with solos, choirs, dance, dramatic portrayal of the birth of Jesus and a commentary on the spread of the gospel around the world and to NZ by Marsden and Hadfield, enhanced by stunning lighting effects and finally the ever-popular Santa Claus. A church camp is planned for the end of February at Mistletoe Bay in the Marlborough Sounds.